A decade of counterinsurgency operations has boosted interest in unmanned ground vehicles (UGV) of all kinds, although real-world operational uses have been limited. UGVs have been widely used, for example, for explosive ordnance disposal (EOD). Since the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency's first Grand Challenge for driverless vehicles in 2004, UGVs have been gaining attention. (Read more)
The border with Gaza is one of Israel’s most tense regions. Snipers, anti-tank missiles and explosives threaten IDF soldiers whose job it is to patrol the security fence on the border.
To counter these threats, the IDF has introduced the Guardium Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV), which patrols the Gaza fence around the clock.
TerraMax is a versatile unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) technology developed by Oshkosh Defense.
The UGV technology allows the armed forces to operate their combat vehicles in full autonomous mode, and the TerraMax UGV avoids the deployment of soldiers in IED (improvised explosive device) threat environments increasing performance in autonomous operations.
TerraMax is developed by Oshkosh in cooperation with Rockwell Collins and the University of Parmay. The modular kit of TerraMax is designed to be integrated into any tactical wheeled vehicle. The UGV suite consists of command zone electronics and a sensor suite incorporating a LIDAR (light detection and ranging) system, vision, navigation and an advanced operator control unit (OCU).
Hardware components of TerraMax are well placed in the vehicle to complement the combat requirements of soldiers, while maintaining the utility of the vehicle. The TerraMax UGV technology is fully incorporated into the brakes, steering, engine and transmission, to enable advanced driver assist systems. The TerraMax mounted ground vehicles can be operated fully autonomously in any position in the convoy, or semi-autonomously to follow the path of the lead vehicle.
TerraMax UGV technology is integrated with a multimodal sensor suite consisting of a high definition LIDAR system, a wide dynamic range camera, a short wave infrared camera, four situational awareness cameras, 12 short range radar systems and three long range radar systems. The vehicle mounted with TerraMax UGV technology is autonomously controlled by an operator control unit (OCU).The rugged OCU allows a single operator to control one or more UGVs. The operator can control an UGV with infrequent monitoring of the unit.
Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs) is a massively growing area in the defense sector. For that application, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) are being used more and more instead of conventional processors because of the demanding real-time processing capabilities required (e.g. Detect And Avoid systems - DAA ).
Another area where FPGAs truly shine is in the communication systems for these vehicles. Multi-band, frequency-agile, cognitive radio, anti-jamming, custom OFDM waveforms, interference suppression – these are all being considered. At the same time, there is the challenge of reducing latency while maximizing data throughput. For example, decisions must be made quickly, vision systems must transmit better image quality, etc.
The costs of these systems must also be considered. Existing systems are equipped with multiple radios, each with its own purpose. A software-defined radio (SDR) can combine all the communication systems into one, with configurable hardware device, thus reducing system and maintenance costs. Lastly, data security and encryption techniques are also a real challenge. Defense communication systems must be designed to be as secure as possible – break-ins from enemies aren’t acceptable on the battlefield. To combat this, custom and unique waveform modulation techniques combined with deep encryption techniques are used. One can’t just re-use an existing standard wireless protocol and package it into these devices as it would be too easy to crack.
Nutaq's FPGA-based SDR systems like the PicoSDR and the ZeptoSDR are well-equipped to help defense research centers accelerate the development of new waveform standards. Both systems include an FPGA-based SISO/MIMO OFDM PHY layer reference design, allowing for wireless real-time video transmission between two RF nodes with a QAM64 modulation and easy customization. With the PicoSDR platform, users have the ability (if required) to program the FPGA from within the well-known Simulink graphical environment, which accelerates and drastically simplifies FPGA simulation and the deployment of wireless applications. Lastly, both SDR systems are completely integrated with the popular GNU Radio toolkit. Both systems offer embedded processor options (ARM-based or i7-based) to install and run GNU Radio. Additionally, both systems enable a remote host PC to access radios as peripherals from the GNU Radio environment.
The iRobot 110 FirstLook is a compact, rugged and expandable lightweight unmanned ground vehicle that provides immediate situational awareness, performs persistent observation for more than 6 hours, and investigates and manipulates dangerous and hazardous materials while keeping the operator out of harm’s way.
The MADSS — Mobile Armed Dismount Support System — tracks and fires on targets only once it gets the green light. Modular, can be fit with a wide array of weaponry. Capable of serving multiple roles depending on how it’s equipped, the MADSS is also a load-bearer.
The Element UGV is a rugged all-terrain UGV platform with on-board computer, GPS, high definition PTZ IP camera, range finder and WIFI connectivity. A high penetration 900 MHz data radio is also available.
This UGV is designed for indoor and outdoor operation requiring zero turning radius and fast maneuverability. Six powerful motors drive it, one for each wheel. It is rugged, lightweight, fast, compact and weather resistant.
The Element UGV allows you to:
Process - complex autonomy, vision and artificial intelligence algorithms via a powerful and reliable embedded PC.
See - via the integrated HD PTZ camera as well as the ultrasonic range finder. The PTZ camera supports multiple H.264 and MJPEG streams to multiple clients. Motion detection and audio detection are supported.
Hear - sounds, voices and anything in-between via the integrated high fidelity microphone.
Connect - with far away devices, other computers, controllers, tablets, PDAs, smart phones as well as other computer networks via WIFI.
Navigate - with the integrated GPS and range finder.
Create - your own robotics applications with the included Navigator .NET SDK and C# sample code
cmRobot Element UGV Specs
Intel Atom 1.8 GHz Dual-Core CPU
1 GB RAM
8 GB high speed CF card
3 USB 2.0 ports
1 VGA port
1 I2C port
2 encoder ports
4 analog ports
1 SATA port
10 GPIO ports (six can be used for servo control)
HD 720 30 FPS PTZ IP camera
Multiple MJPEG and H.264 streams Low noise microphone
The U.S. Army is testing a variety of unmanned ground vehicles at Fort Benning, Ga., to see how well they can fire weapons and carry the load for a nine-man squad. Ten unmanned ground vehicles were assessed during the Oct. 7-10 tests, led by the Maneuver Center of Excellence’s battle lab. Three of the vehicles are designed solely to carry equipment and supplies, and the remaining seven are also capable of being fired remotely. (Read more)
The Stingray Nano Unmanned Vehicle System (NUGV) is ideal for maritime boarding actions and tactics, designed to capture enemy vessels, to combat terrorism, piracy and smuggling, and to conduct customs, safety and other inspections, as employed by modern navies, marine and maritime services, military and police forces.
Stingray is an ultra-light, small and stores in a standard daypack. The robot weighs under 4 pounds and is 9.5 inches long, 7.5 inches wide and 3.8 inches tall. Throw-able, can survive 16 ft. (5 m) foot drops onto concrete, rated to IP67 (submersible to 3.3 ft./ 1 m), and is neutrally buoyant. Operating efficiently in challenging conditions, the robot gets more than 2 hours of runtime on a typical mission and uses IR and Visible LED lights to enhance low light and no light situations. Also includes high intensity strobe light. This UGV can quickly be converted into a pole camera or tethered via the lifting eye for confined space operations.
Maneuverable in a variety of environments, Stingray climbs objects up to 3 inches high, turns in place, and has automatic video and control inversion when flipped over. Also, it has motion detection software enabling one of the two UGV to be used as a sentry while the other explores an area of interest.
System Features:
Tilt camera, 50 degree FOV, tilts +/-85 degrees.
IR and white LED lights.
COFDM video and FHSS telemetry links.
Transmission distances: LOS: 200 meters and NLOS: 150 meters.
Wheels an transition belt for improved mobility.
Duration: 2 hours full operating condition.
External payload capacity of 700g.
Extension Pole Attachment (convert UGV to a pole camera).
Top side high intensity strobe.
Built to withstand multiple 10 ft. (3 m) drops onto concrete.
Water and Dust proof to IP67.
Antenna housed within the lifting eye.
RS-232 interface for payloads.
System includes: two UGVs, one CDS, two extension poles, chargers, and case.
Israeli unmanned ground vehicle manufacturer Roboteam has unveiled a new configuration of its Micro Tactical Ground Robot designed for harsh field conditions.
Designed for ISR, explosive ordnance disposal and other missions, the 16-pound MTGR is the lightest vehicle on market for its type, according to Roboteam. Carried by an individual soldier, the MTGR can negotiate obstacles and climb stairs.
The new MTGR will be displayed at the Israel Pavilion at the Association of the United States Army exposition Oct. 21-23 in Washington, D.C. Roboteam will also display its line of generic controllers that work with any unmanned system.
U.S. Army counter-mine experts say they plan to issue a formal solicitation before the end of October for full-scale development of unmanned ground vehicle (UGV)-mounted mine-detection system called the Autonomous Mine Detection System (AMDS). (Read more)
Israel Aerospace Industries’ (IAI) Ramta’s Division is developing an unmanned ground penetrating radar sensor designed to detect deep buried and surface-laid mines and Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). The system designated Mines and IED Detection System (MIDS) has completed the last phase of engineering testing and have begun building a technology demonstrator.
An onboard IAI-manufactured electro-optic payload with day/night cameras will provide remote operators with situational awareness and enable visual surveillance from a safe distance. On-board navigation systems allow the vehicle to travel along a precise series of preprogrammed or operator designated waypoints and record and transmit the exact location of discovered threats.
MIDS will carry a remotely-operated weapon system slaved to the electro-optic payload for self-defense against enemy combatants or for detonating threats on the operator’s command. The system will also be equipped with a small dozer blade able to clear obstructions, and a lane-painting/marking system for designating both a safe path for following vehicles/troops and for outlining the location of discovered threats.
